From 2001 to 2011, the Milwaukee Brewers had three different Opening Day starters at first base: Richie Sexson, Lyle Overbay, and Prince Fielder. They had 10 different starters at first base from 2012-2022, with no players starting there in consecutive seasons. Fans may fondly (or not so fondly) remember players like Corey Hart, Yuniesky Betancourt, Mark Reynolds, Adam Lind, Chris Carter, Eric Thames, Jesus Aguilar, Thames again, Justin Smoak, Daniel Vogelbach and Rowdy Tellez.
When Tellez started playing first base again in Milwaukee in 2023, he became the first Brewers baseman since Fielder to start in consecutive Opening Days.
Rhys Hoskins has manned first base for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Last season, of course, the Brewers signed the former player Philadelphia Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins took first base. He was coming off the 2023 season in which he didn’t play at all due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered during spring training. Milwaukee signed him to a two-year, $34 million contract that includes an $18 million mutual option in 2026 (with a $4 million buyout).
Hoskins had a decent first season in Milwaukee, although it was obvious he missed the entire season before he started playing for the Brewers. In six seasons with the Phillies, Hoskins hit .242/.353/.492, averaging 36 home runs and 98 RBI over 162 games.
Last year with the Brewers, Hoskins hit .214/.303/.419 with 26 home runs and 82 RBI. He was a clubhouse leader and provided decent power, but his production also wouldn’t net him more than $17 million on the free agent market.
As a result, Hoskins exercised his player option for the 2025 season and will return to Milwaukee next year.
Rhys Hoskins Decision Stop Milwaukee Brewers from Signing Paul Goldschmidt
According to a report by Stephen Mottram from Illustrated sportsThe Brewers planned to pursue free agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt even if Hoskins declined his player option. Not only were they going to make him an offer, but they were going to make him an offer he couldn’t refuse:
“The Brewers would love to find a way to acquire former Cardinals All-Star baseman Paul Goldschmidt and would be willing to do anything if first baseman Rhys Hoskins opted out of his contract.”
This is surprising considering Milwaukee’s history of not being able to find a eternal first baseman. Hoskins may have played below his career averages, but this was his first season back from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and he is still only 31 years ancient.
Goldschmidt, on the other hand, has been in a clear, rapid decline for two years. After winning the NL MVP award in 2022, hitting .317/.404/.578 with 35 home runs and 115 RBI, Goldschmidt’s production has declined significantly in each of the last two seasons.
In 2023, he hit .268/.363/.447 with 25 home runs and 80 RBI. Last year he hit .245/.302/.414 with 22 home runs and 65 RBI.
And he is 37 years ancient.
Hoskins should be better in 2025 than he was in 2024 because he’s no longer trying to get back into shape after missing the entire season.
It seems that in this case his decision could have saved the Breweries from themselves.
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